NYC Tea Society Stitches to Comfort Shelter Cats

Riverdale, NY May 13, 2004 -– The New York City Tea Society has donated ninety-eight "kitty blankets" to The Critter Knitters Coalition, an organization collecting blankets to comfort cats and kittens in New York City animal shelters.

The blankets were knitted, quilted, sewn, and crocheted by members of the Tea Society. Most of the women in the Tea Society make their own nineteenth and early twentieth century clothing to wear to historical re-enactments and other costumed events. Many of the blankets are made from remnants of dressmaking projects, or other parts of the members' fabric stashes.

The Critter Knitters Coalition has already distributed more than 500 blankets to numerous New York City shelters, including the New York City Animal Care & Control (the only animal care organization in New York City that never turns away animals), the ASPCA, and many smaller shelters. The Coalition will send blankets to any shelter or rescue group in need who requests them.

These blankets, often colorful and beautifully made, help soothe abandoned animals. They also give the shelters a homier atmosphere and help attract people to the cages, thereby helping make the animals more adoptable. An animal that is comfortable and feeling secure is able to show his best self to a prospective adoptive family.

"The nineteenth century saw the rise of countless 'benevolent societies' founded and run by women to assist Civil War soldiers, 'the deserving poor,' children, animals, and other groups needing assistance. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals was itself founded in New York City in 1866. It seemed natural to use our members' sewing expertise to benefit such a worthy cause," said NYC Tea Society executive director Shenlei Winkler.

"Whether an animal has 48 hours or a lifetime in a shelter, he or she deserves to have something comfortable to lie on. These security blankets help relieve some of the anxiety an abandoned animal feels, and also provide physical comfort in a hard concrete or metal cage. Critter Knitters is extremely grateful to the New York City Tea Society for their compassion, generosity, and hard work in spreading the word and coming together to create ninety-eight blankets for shelter animals in desperate need. I've seen shelter animals transformed in their cages when a soft blanket or bed is put into their cage, and hope others will use their talents to help our mission to provide comfort to animals awaiting permanent homes in shelters throughout New York City and beyond," said Sage Jacobs, founder of the Critter Knitters Coalition.

About The Critter Knitters Coalition
The Critter Knitters Coalition was created in response to the dire need for warm, comfortable blankets for abandoned animals in New York animal shelters. These blankets help frightened cats and dogs feel calmer, and improve the quality of life for shelter animals while they await their forever homes. The Coalition is a grassroots group made up of knitters, crocheters, people who sew, and others who help provide blankets, transportation, and word-of-mouth.

The Coalition is working with the Mayor's Alliance for NYC's Animals to reach as many rescues and shelters in need of blankets as possible. Its goal is to have no shelter animal in NY without a warm and comfortable blanket on which to sleep. More information is available at www.CritterKnitters.org.

About the New York City Tea Society
Since 1995, members of the New York City Tea Society have been appearing in 19th and early 20th century costume at private and public events. The Tea Society exists to provide a playful outlet for its members' love of creative historical re-enactment. It assists various non-profit organizations by providing costumed re-enactors at their public events. For-profit organizations may arrange to have costumed Tea Society members appear at their functions to help create a media event.

For more information about the NYC Tea Society, contact Shenlei Winkler, Executive Director, at 917-604-0500 or visit www.nycteasociety.com. The New York City Tea Society: Service Through Playfulness™.




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